Amanda Hedges always believed she had time.
The Brisbane woman, now 31, imagined future beach breaks, zoo visits and carefree weekends. She worked hard, worried often and assumed life would stretch ahead for decades.

But a sudden diagnosis changed everything.

A Shock That Stopped Her World

Last September, Amanda developed mild headaches after adjusting her anxiety medication. An MRI was ordered “just to be safe.”
The scan revealed an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma. It cannot be removed, and treatment can only slow its progress—not cure it.

Doctors estimate she may have around 15 months.

Treatment and Tough News

Multiple scans, a biopsy and consultations with specialists confirmed the worst.
Her first round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy left her exhausted and sick through Christmas. She now has a short window before the next cycle begins.

A New Focus: Making Moments Count

Amanda has created a bucket list for the time she has left.
She dreams of a few days in a beachfront hotel, a visit to Australia Zoo to watch Robert Irwin, an all-you-can-eat buffet, even a sushi outing without checking every price.

Medical bills and the loss of her income add pressure, and she has turned to GoFundMe for support.

Her Message for Others

Amanda wants younger people—and anyone rushing through life—to pause and prioritise what matters.
“Work won’t sit beside you during chemo,” she says. “Family and friends will.”

Her biggest regret: believing she could start living “later.”